Well casing head



J. J. SANTIAGO WELL CASING HEAD Oct. 3, 1933.

Filed Nov. 21, 1930 Jnuexe/pr James .7 aim/a aflfiar nzy Patented Oct. 3, 1933 PATENT OFFICE WELL CASING HEAD James J. Santiago, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to John Grant, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application November 21, 1930 Serial No. 497,205

9 Claims.

This invention has reference to well pipe or casing heads, such device consisting in general of a capped body adapted to be releasably attached to the upper end of the well casing and having connections with discharge or circulating fluid lines. Casing heads especially adapted for well cementing operations may have in addition to the characteristics mentioned, provision whereby aplug may be carried within the upper or 10 capped portion of the head. I may state however that the invention is independent of any particular type of head, that is whether or not it be of the plug carrying type, since in the majority of its aspects the-invention is primarily concerned 5 with means for attaching the head to the casing.

The invention may be further characterized as having to do with types of well heads in which the body extends over and around the casing and is secured thereto by means of gripping elements carried on the body and adapted to be brought into engagement with the outside of the casing. It is a primary object of the invention to provide means whereby such gripping elements may be caused to grippingly engage the casing by virture of the pressure of the well fluid, that is, the fluid pressure within the casing. Generally speaking, this is accomplished by the provision of gripping elements of a character such that they are caused to engage the pipe by movement oftheir gripping faces relative thereto, and an actuating member operable by fluid pressure directed along the outside of the pipe, and adapted to cause, as pressure is applied thereto, the gripping elements to move into gripping engagement with the pipe. Preferably, this pressure actuated member will comprise a packing ring contained within the body and in engagement with the outside of the casing, the packing ring serving in addition to means for actuating the gripping elements, also as a means for maintaining a-fluid tight seal between the head and the casing.

It is to be understood that the invention broadly contemplates the use of any Suitable type or form of gripping elements such as may be capable of gripping or releasing the pipe by virtue of vertical movement relative thereto, or such as may be capable of operation by a pressure actuated member movable longitudinally of the pipe. For purposes of description I have shown, as will hereinafter appear, gripping elements of a pivoted jaw type having gripping faces movable vertically and radially relative to the pipe, but a showing of this particular type of gripping element is in no way intended as an implied limitation of the invention thereto.

In order to detach the head from the casing, manually operable means is incorporated in the head structure whereby the gripping elements may be moved out of engagement with the easing by a simple operation. In the typical form of invention described hereinafter, the manually operated releasing member comprises a rotatable cam lifting ring mounted on the body below the gripping elements and being adapted upon rotation to raise the pipe engaging faces of the gripping elements out of gripping engagement with the casing.

The above general aspects of the invention, as well as further objects and the various details of a typical and preferred embodiment thereof, will be understood to best advantage from the following detailed description. Reference is had for purposes of description to the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig.1 is a sectional view showing the head attached to the well casing, the gripping elements being shown in their pipe engaging positions;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of one of the gripping elements; 5

Fig. 4 is a side View of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the lifting ring showing the formation and arrangement of the cam faces thereon.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the head, generally indicated at 10 is shown attached to the usual pipe coupling 11 on the upper end of the well casing 12. The head 10 consists in general of a body section 13 placed over and around coupling 11, and an upper or cap section 14 which has provision for connection at 14 with a circulating fluid or discharge line. A similar connection (not shown) usually will be provided at the opposite side of the cap.

The lower portion 13 of the body comprises a skirt 16 having an internal annular flange or shoulder 17 which normally rests on the upper end of the casing to support the head, that is. in the absence of such pressures within the casing as will tend to raise and support the head, whereupon the gripping elements are brought into operation as later described. The diameter of bore 18 of the skirt preferably will be such as to pro vide a slight amount of clearance around the outside of the casing so as to permit free communication'of pressure from the interior of the latter to space 19 within the lower portion of the skirt as defined by counterbore 20. Threaded 110 on the lower end of the skirt is a ring 21 having an interior shoulder 21a which serves to support the gripping elements 22 and lifting ring 23, hereinafter described.

As previously stated, although I show for purposes of describing the invention, one particular type of gripping element, the invention broadly contemplates the use of numerous types of gripping elements which are capable of being brought into gripping engagement with the easing as a result of movement imparted to said elements by means of a pressure actuated member movable longitudinally along the outside of the casing. The illustrated typical form of gripping elements 22, comprises a plurality of jaws having serrated pipe engaging faces 24, see Fig. 4, the jaws being mounted in a manner such that the gripping faces are capable of vertical and radial movement relative to the casing. Each of the jaws 22 comprises a cylindrical base or bearing portion 22a seated within an annular groove 26 of substantially semi-circular cross section, formed in the lower end of skirt 16 and in the upper supporting ring 21. The jaws are capable of vertical pivotal movement about the axial center of the cylindrical bearing portions 22a, and within such limits as to bring them into and out of gripping engagement with the pipe. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the ends of the bearing portions 22a of the jaws are conical in shape, the degree of taper being in accordance with the relative positions of the jaws in their circular arrangement about the pipe, so as to enable the bearings 22a to be maintained in end to end engagement as shown in Fig. 2. The gripping elements are shown to be arranged typically in three sections or groupings about the casing, the elements in each group being held in position and in end to end engagement by abutment pieces 28 attached to the upper interior surface of the supporting ring 21 at opposite sides of openings 29, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear.

A bearing or jaw operating ring 30 is contained within space 19 directly above the gripping jaws, and is capable of vertical movement within the skirt 16 when acted upon by the packing ring. as will presently appear. The lower surface 30a of the bearing ring engaging the upper edges of the jaws is beveled or curved in order to provide a proper cam surface acting on the jaws. Above the bearing ring 30 is a packing ring 32 formed of rubber, leather, or other suitable flexible material adaptable to the sealing of the space between the body of the head and the well pipe against fluid leakage. Preferably the packing ring will be substantially cup-shaped in section,

as illustrated, in order to most effectively seal off against leakage between the head and well pipe. The packing ring may be characterized as being pressure actuated in that the inner and outer lip portions 32a and 32b engaging the outside of the pipe and the wall of bore 20, are forced into sealing engagement with the adjacent walls by the action of pressure applied to the inner faces of the lips. As previously mentioned, the fluid pressure within the pipe is communicated to space 19 around the upper end of the coupling and through space 18. By so employing a pressure actuated packing ring of the type illustrated, it will be noted that as the pressure in the well pipe increases, the more effective will become the sealing action of the packing ring, since increase in pressures will tend to force lips 32a. and 32binto correspondingly tighter engagement with their engaging surfaces.

In addition to having sealing characteristics, packing ring 32 is capable of imparting, as a result of the downward pressure thereon, vertical movement to bearing ring 30 and therefore movement to jaws 22 to bring them into gripping engagement with the casing. Thus upon exertion of pressure against the upper surfaces of the packing ring, the latter is caused to move downwardly relative to sleeve 16 and to move ring 30 to the point at which the jaws are brought into tight gripping engagement with the well pipe, as illustrated in Fig. 1. With further respect to the capability of the packing ring to impart a vertical movement to the bearing ring, I may state that the packing ring may be either bodily movable, or it may be so formed or made of such materials as to be capable of downward expansion or stretching sufficient to actuate the bearing ring, and without substantial bodily movement. Thus the expression vertical movement as applied to the packing ring, is to be understood as referring to its ability to impart under the influence of pressure, movement to the bearing ring, whether the entire packing ring be moved downwardly or whether it be merely expanded downwardly without moving as a whole.

The jaws 22 are movable out of gripping engagement with the pipe by means of the manually operable lifting ring 23, supported, as previouslystated, on the inner shoulder of ring 21 105 immediately below the gripping jaws. Lifting ring 23 comprises essentially a rotatable cam ring, and is best shown in detail in Fig. 5. The ring is provided with a plurality of radial grooves 34, one for each of gripping jaws 22, and which accommo- 110 date the jaws when they are in their pipe engaging positions shown in Fig. 1, the jaws lying within grooves 34 and spaced somewhat from the bottom thereof as at 35. The raised surfaces at 36 on the cam ring between grooves 34, are shaped 115 to provide cam faces adapted to engage the bottom edges of the gripping jaws upon rotation of the ring in the direction of arrow A, Fig. 2 and to swing the jaws upwardly and outwardly to an extent sufficient to release them from engagement 120 with the pipe. Cam faces 37 on the lifting ring between grooves 34, are formed by beveling surfaces 36 on a diagonal 38 from the inner ends of the grooves to the rear of the outer ends of adjacent grooves, the diagonal extending inwardly ln the direction of rotation of the ring. The lower edges of cam faces 3'7 are substantially at the bases of grooves 34. The cam ring carries integrally and radially extending sockets 40, of which there may be one or more, and which project outwardly from the ring within openings 41 formed in the lower end of skirt 16 and ring 21, the width of openings 41. being sufficient to permit the necessary range of operation of the lifting ring. Ring 23 may be operated or rotated by means of a rod inserted in one of the sockets 40.

Assuming the parts to be in the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2, by turning the cam ring in the direction of arrow A, cam faces 37 are brought to engage the lower edges of the jaws, and by virtue of the diagonal extent of the cam faces across the lifting ring, the jaws are caused to become swung upwardly to the point of releasing the casing. Bearing ring 30 and the packing ring of course also will be raised as a result of upward movement of the jaws.

The invention also includes the provision of a novel form of cap mounting or attachment whereby a cap may be secured and clamped on the body of the head so as to be readily removable. As

1,928,821 shown in Fig. 1, the ca 14 is fitted into the upper end of sleeve 16, the cap having an external annular flange 14a which may bear against the end of the sleeve. Fluid leakage between the cap and sleeve 16 is prevented by means of a double lipped packing ring 42 inserted within an annular groove 43 formed in the interior end portions of the cap and sleeve. Packing ring 42 is shaped to provide diagonal pressure faces 44 and 45, so that as pressure is applied against these faces, the upper and lower lip portions o f the packing will become pressed into tight engagement with the walls of groove 43, thereby maintaining a tight seal between the cap and the body.

The cap is clamped on the head by means of a yoke 46 pivotally attached to the upper end of the body by screws 47, and carrying an eye-bolt 48 which is adapted to be screwed into tight engagement with the upper end of the cap so as to hold it tight against the body. As will be readily apparent, the cap may be easily removed from the body simply by unscrewing bolt 48 to the point of releasing the cap, and swinging yoke 46 down against the side of the body to clear the cap and permit its being taken off of the body.

I claim:

1. An. attachment for releasably connecting a head or the like to a well pipe, comprising a body adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of a well pipe, pipe gripping jaws pivotally mounted in the body and adapted to grip the outside of the pipe by vertical pivotal movement relative thereto, said jaws having serrated faces adapted to grip the smooth exterior of the pipe, means actuated by fluid pressure directed downwardly along the outside of the pipe, for bringing said elements into gripping engagement with the pipe and a vertically movable ring between said means and the gripping elements.

2. An attachment for releasably connecting a head or the like to a well pipe, comprising a body adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of a well pipe, pipe gripping elements mounted on the body and adapted to grip the outside of the pipe, fluid pressure actuated packing means for bringing said elements into gripping engagement with the pipe, and means placed between said gripping elements and the packing and through which the pressure applied to the packing is communicated to the gripping elements.

3. An attachment for releasably connecting a head or the like to a well pipe, comprising a body adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of a well pipe, pipe gripping elements mounted on the body and adapted to grip the outside of the pipe, by virtue of vertical and radial movement of their pipe gripping faces relative thereto, vertically movable fluid pressure actuated packing means for moving said elements vertically to bring them into gripping engagement with the pipe, and means placed between said gripping elements and the packing and through which the pressure applied to the packing is communicated to the gripping elements.

4. An attachment for releasably connecting a head or the like to a well pipe, comprising a body adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of a well pipe, relatively vertically movable pipe gripping elements mounted on the body and adapted to grip the outside of the pipe by virtue of vertical movement of their pipe gripping faces relative thereto, a fluid pressure actuated packing ring for moving said elements vertically to bring them into gripping engagement with the pipe, and a vertically movable bearing ring between said packing ring and said gripping elements.

5. An attachment for releasably connecting a head or the like to a well pipe, comprising a body adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of a well pipe, a plurality of pipe gripping elements carried within said body and having vertically movable pipe gripping faces adapted to grip the pipe upon downward movement relative thereto, vertically movable pressure actuated means carried within the body above said gripping elements, and adapted to be operated by fluid pressure from the interior of said pipe to bring said elements into gripping engagement with the pipe, and means placed between said gripping elements and said pressure actuated means and through which the pressure applied to said means is communicated to the gripping elements.

6. An attachment for releasably connecting a head or the like to a well pipe, comprising a body adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of a well pipe, a plurality of pivotally movable pipe gripping jaws carried within said body and having vertically movable pipe gripping faces adapted to grip the pipe upon downward movement relative thereto, and vertically movable pressure actuated means carried within the body above said gripping elements, adapted to be operated by fluid pressure from the interior of said pipe to bring said elements into gripping engagement with the pipe, and means mounted on the body below said elements for releasing them from gripping engagement with the pipe.

7. An attachment for releasably connecting a head or the like to a well pipe, comprising a body adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of a well pipe, a plurality of pipe gripping elements carried within said body and having vertically movable pipe gripping faces adapted to grip the pipe upon downward movement relative thereto, and vertically movable pressure actuated means carried within the body above said gripping elements, adapted to be operated said gripping elements and said pressure actuated means, and a rotatable cam ring mounted on the body below said elements andoperableto engage and release the latter from gripping engagement with the pipe.

8. An attachment for releasably connecting a head or the like to a well pipe, a skirt adapted to be placed over and around the upper'end of a well pipe, said skirt being spaced from the outside ofsaid pipe and the space being communicable with the well pipe interior, a packing ring within said space and engaging said pipe, said packing being movable downwardly by well pressure applied to its upper surface, pipe gripping elements within said skirt below the packing ring and. having vertically movablepipe gripping faces, said elements being adapted to be brought into gripping engagement with the pipe by pressure applied to said packing ring, a bearing ring betweenthe packing ring and said gripping elements, and a rotatable cam ,ring supported by said skirt below said element and operable to release the latter from gripping engagement with the pipe. 7

9. In an attachment for releasably connecting a head or the like to a well pipe, a skirt adapted to be placed over and around the upper end of a well pipe, said skirt being spaced from the outside of said pipe and the space being communicable lower end of said skirt and said supporting ring, a bearing ring between said jaws and the packing ring, said jaws being operable by pressure applied to the packing ring, and a rotatable cam ring supported by said skirt below the gripping elements and operable to pivotally move the latter from gripping engagement with the pipe.

JAMES J. SANTIAGO. 

